Before Botswana’s winter parliament break, legislators are expected to have debated an Anti-Doping Bill which will be tabled by the Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng.
According to sources, the bill is expected to be gazetted in the near future in preparation for debate by parliamentarians. At the heart of this bill is an aim to curb doping cases in Botswana, which are threatening to spike out of control.
Just this year alone, Botswana has registered five doping cases. Earlier in June this year, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) announced that three athletes, Refilwe Murangi and Galaletsang Gabalotegwe (both athletics) and softball ace Kagiso Mogale had tested positive for banned substances.
Barely a month thereafter, two more cases were reported. This time around, it was announced that Tshepang Manyika and Mpho Lekwalo, both from athletics, had also tested positive for banned substances. The announcements left Botswana in a compromising situation.
In reaction to the spiraling doping cases, the Ministry of Sports and Arts (MOSA) sought to act, proposing a bill to tackle doping in sport. The bill is intended to address both the prevalence and the consequences of doping, offering a legal framework to support athletes and protect the country’s sporting image.
As one would expect, the bill is garnering support from the local sports fraternity. Botswana Athletics Association (BAA), as one of the most affected codes, has hailed the bill as long overdue.
BAA Acting president Oabona Theetso says that they as the association ‘are glad that the issues of doping are being addressed.’ “It is a good development and we are proud to be part of it,” he says. In support, Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) board chairman Marumo Morule says the bill “is a good initiative and a welcome development.”
One of the major issues the bill seeks to address is the current structure of the existing interim Botswana National Anti-Doping Office (NADO). Though the bill, MOSA hopes the local NADO office will be gradually developed into a fully functional NADO. Improving the NADO office will be a step to tackling the issues of doping violations.
The bill also seeks to align Botswana with the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport and the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC). Beyond compliance with international standards, it is intended to safeguard athlete welfare and uphold the credibility of Botswana’s sporting achievements internationally.
It is believed the bill will establish a strong legal and institutional framework for clean sport, athlete protection, and international recognition—laying the foundation for a generation of athletes who can compete with integrity, national support, and greater potential for global sponsorship.
Commenting on the impending bill, Theetso says it must not just focus on athletes found guilty of doping. He says “the bill must also have outlined regulations for those promoting doping substances.”
